BU Food Pantry Campaign

Help BU address food insecurity.

The BU Food Pantry exists because no student should have to choose between buying food and focusing on their education. Each order filled represents more than groceries—it represents relief, dignity, and the reassurance that the BU community cares.

The Food Pantry distributed more than 19,000 pounds of food in the last academic year and ensured that students can access essential groceries when they need them most. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, we were able to meet the needs of many students. But the need for our services has only grown.

Every gift has a direct impact. For example:

• $75 can help stock the rice shelf for one week
• $100 can help stock the pasta shelf for one week
• $120 can help stock the peanut butter and jelly shelf for one week
• $500 can provide 20 students with a week's worth of staples
• $2,000 can help fully stock the Pantry’s shelves

This is our fourth year running the BU Food Pantry campaign, and thanks to community support, we've made a huge difference in students' lives. Our goal this year is to raise $100,000 by November 30 to help meet growing student need.

Student share the impact of the Pantry.

• “The BU Pantry was very helpful during my time as a graduate student. I truly appreciate the support they provided, which made a positive difference throughout my graduate journey. The assistance and kindness I received were greatly valued, and I am grateful to have had access to such a supportive community.” —Annonymous Graduate Student
• “I really loved my experience with the Food Pantry, at first I felt weird because I was in a financially awkward position, but the people who helped me out at the pantry were so wonderful that it got rid of some of my shame.” —Annonymous Undergraduate Student
• “Thank you to all who volunteer/fund/started the Pantry. It’s been the single most helpful resource on campus.”—Annonymous Undergraduate Student

History of the BU Food Pantry:

BU has a long history of supporting the food needs of its community, starting from the Student Food Rescue program in 1988 to the Community Cares and Community Cupboard food pantries in 2019 and 2020. These initiatives aimed to address food insecurity in our community and ensure everyone has access to food.

In 2022, the new office of Student Wellbeing launched a centralized approach to food support. Thanks to cross-campus partnerships and funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Student Wellbeing has been focused on educating students about food resources and providing food through the BU Food Pantry.